2011 Tails of the Painted Cats

“This cat is inspired by the incredible acoustic and folk musicians of Colorado. My heart specifically speaks to the bluegrass musicians that stem from, travel to and love this state.”

Jasmine Dillingham is a multi-media artist who was educated at Metropolitan State College, Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design and Front Range Community College. She participated in Art Study Programs in Paris and Giverny, France. “My work stems from love and memory. I change mediums like I change my socks. My current art is about capturing moments of adventure and strength from hardship.”

Sponsored by: Ms. Barbara Kane, CCS Patron

“I have always liked using animals as subjects for my art work. In addition, I’m drawn to found objects, especially paper and mechanical parts such as nuts, bolts, gears and the like. I imagine they have, under their skin, nuts, bolts, straps and gears to make them go! Think Mad Max characters.”

Ms. Roulier’s cat is all about textures. The rusty patina suggests that this cat has spent time underwater, only to surface and find himself at the mercy of the brightly colored birds who have made their home on his back. Ironsides presents a fantastical whimsy approach to the project.

Sponsored by: Cat Care Society Staff

“Mr. Tweedy was inspired by my own cat, which is grey and white and extremely dignified looking. I have specialized in doing watercolors as well as mixed media and collage works, however I love to paint murals and do wall stenciling too.”

Ms. Williams was born in a small town in Missouri, about 60 miles north of St. Louis. After graduation from Lindenwood College, she taught for 6 years. She then migrated to Colorado and taught elementary art in the Jefferson County School System. She has also taught drawing and watercolor at the Community Recreation Center in Arvada. In addition to her teaching, she has worked as a custom decorator, part time. Ms. Williams has had her work shown at the Arvada Center as well as the Foothills Gallery in Golden, Colorado.

Sponsored by: Ms. Kellie Beiers & First Western Trust Bank

“Being a child of the sixties during the Beatles era, I always remember the colors and music with fondness; both are timeless.”

Ms. Lickly has expressed her creative drive primarily through ceramics since 2003. After graduating with an art degree from CSU, Pat honed her design skills in many places, but none more creative than the fabulous upscale resale boutique she established and operated, Rich Rags in North Country Club, Denver. With retirement came the freedom to ride the flow of her creative instincts. She has participated in many gallery shows, the latest being The Mix at Niza Knoll Gallery in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District.

Sponsored by: Tender Touch Animal Hospital
& Karen Gonzalez, CCS Volunteer

“Mother Goose inspired me! This has always been one of my favorite nursery rhymes. I couldn’t help but sing it the whole time I was painting because it was just so much fun. My cats enjoyed it too.”

Ms. Owada received her BFA in Illustration from Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas. She has a varied and colorful art background which includes public school teaching, department store fashion illustration, freelance graphic design, and court room illustrating for Channel 4 here in Denver. She is currently affiliated with the Louisville Art Association.

Sponsored by: Mrs. June Hammond

J-Rab has been creating art since the age of 12. He, along with other artists, was involved in the conception and subsequent opening of an art gallery they called Subciety, in what became the Santa Fe Arts District in Denver. They held shows on First Fridays, which remains a tradition in the District today. J-Rab has developed a versatile array of skills including use of acrylics, spray paint, clay, pastels and other

Sponsored by: Cat Care Society Foster Care Volunteers

This Carousel Cat tells a mysterious story while he awaits his rider so that together they may gallop off to that perfect land where every kitty has a home and every home has a kitty (and every horse too). His heart's desire is that every critter be saved and loved in their forever home. This kitty cat creation was Inspired by my adoration of everything feline and equine.

Ms. Becker earned her degrees at the University of Texas and the University of Colorado. She managed the Boettcher Mansion historic event site on Lookout Mountain from 1976 to 2000 and then began her art studies in 2003. Susan's celebrated oil paintings of animals are in private collections throughout the country.

Sponsored by: Mark & Linda Brandon, CCS Patrons

“I was inspired to create this “cool cat” by my 12 year old daughter, who loves peace signs and tie dye. My artwork is an exploration of the human and animal psyche through drawing, painting, and sculpture.”

Ms. Schmidt enjoys showing her vision of the world through art. Her formal art education came from Arapahoe Community College degree in 2004. She has been extremely active in the Littleton arts scene including exhibitions at the Depot Art Center, the Arts Alliance of Littleton, and the Colorado Gallery of the Arts, among others. Her flair for color is obvious in the Peace cat presentation.

Sponsored by: Richard Mahnke, Square Deal Framing
& Ms. Gail Tinianow, CCS Patron

“I am an artist with sharp leanings toward abstract design and I delight in creating something from nothing!”

Ms. Ross earned a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Colorado. She graduated Cum Laude with high distinction in her field. Her skills include three dimensional assemblage, collage and computer-generated graphics. She is a member of the Lakewood Arts Council, and recently achieved the “Dutchess Award” for her float entry in the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival Parade. Deco-Disco Kitty will be auctioned on an optional revolving base which enhances the light reflection from the mirror tiles.

Sponsored by: Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Dawson, CCS Patrons

“I have had the rare good fortune to see great masterpieces of art and architecture because of an early European education. That experience made me realize that many skills are simply not being passed on. It is important to me to understand the old methods, use that as a resource, and then to convey my art (in whatever shape it takes) and convey that in the modern world. The style of my cat will commemorate the Tutankhamen exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. I found the original cat goddess artistically unremarkable so I decorated this in the style of King Tut’s coffinette.”

Kathryn Jackson is a second-generation design and lettering artist, and has been involved with calligraphy since 1976. She is trained in numerous styles of lettering as well as illumination, gilding and bookbinding. She has studied traditional techniques at Exeter College of Art & Design and Oxford University in England.

Sponsored by: Ms. Diana Esquerra, CCS Patron

“Growing up in Colorado has filled me with a sense of the beauty that is the West. I also have a feeling of sadness as I watch the changes that are shaping the modern western landscape. I strive to document the untouched vista but also appreciate the hand of man. My cat is inspired by a huge black cat we had several years ago named Memphis. He loved to sit in the rose garden.”

Having lived all his life in the west, Greg finds his artwork reveals his love of the west and all things western. Known primarily as a watercolorist, he discovered acrylic on canvas after receiving a commission for two large canvasses for an oil company in Downtown Denver. This project has led to subsequent large works and he find this format and the medium very exciting.

Sponsored by: Ms. Marsha Crest, CCS Patron

“The seed of life and the flower of life are geometric representations of basic cell divisions and the existence of all life. Applying this design to a feline figure will cultivate compassion to all living things, especially shelter cats. The flower of life pattern is seen on some temple walls in Egypt, an ancient civilization that honored cats.”

Ms. Nevadomski is a professional fine artist and freelance illustrator. She also describes herself as a “Reiki Master, Writer, Geek, Intuitive Reader ... A unique mix of creativity and logic, of nature and nurture, of spirituality and science.”

Sponsored by: East Evans Animal Hospital

Karole Sharpe is an artist who has been working with glass for the past 29 years specializing in one-of-a-kind glass sculptures using a variety of techniques.

Using color and light she creates pieces that delight and sanctify our connection to Spirit. Glass has been a never ending source of inspiration for her and she is constantly learning new techniques and exploring new method of expression. She specializes in creating one-of-kind glass sculptures using a variety of techniques.

Sharpe earned her B.F.A. in Sculpture from the University of Colorado in 1986 and continued her education at Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, WA. Sharpe’s award winning sculptures have been featured in numerous juried and group exhibitions such as the Sculpture in the Park, in Loveland, CO. She has exhibited with nationally known galleries including Habatat in Detroit, MI and Pismo in Denver, CO. In Colorado, her work may be seen at Sand Dollar Gallery, Denver, CO, Rare Things in Creede, CO, Organic Peddler in Del Norte, CO and the Lakewood Cultural Center in Lakewood, CO.

Sponsored by: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Swanson

“I think of cats as dainty little jewels. This fancy cat was inspired by my own fuzzy “jewel” at home.

Ms. Schmidt enjoys showing her vision of the world through art. Her formal art education came from Arapahoe Community College degree in 2004. She has been extremely active in the Littleton arts scene including exhibitions at the Depot Art Center, the Arts Alliance of Littleton, and the Colorado Gallery of the Arts, among others. Her flair for color is obvious in the Peace cat presentation. Jewel has a soft and beautiful metallic finish and is decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Sponsored by: Still available

“This cat was inspired by a royal calico that lives in Lakewood with her owner/sponsors. In reality, she is somewhat more portly, having had 6 kittens prior to life in the castle; however for her royal portrait she is portrayed as she looked in her youth.”

Jane McFadden Dorsey is a self taught professional artist who is skilled in abstract acrylic painting, mixed media collage and Paper Mache pulp sculpture. She is a member of the Lakewood Arts Council Community Gallery and is also affiliated with Hillside Gallery and Frame Shop. She has been a part time Volunteer Coordinator for Cat Care Society for 18 years and served as the Art Coordinator for the Tails of the Painted Cats project.

Sponsored by: Steve & Maggie Holben

“In this piece, I hope to show the earth above and below the crust, joined by the forces of gravity from the moon, pushing the tides as the wind ripples through it all. To me, this serene scene of nighttime beauty rests in the soul of every cat.”

Ms. Negron is a student at the University of Colorado and will graduate in 2012 with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Elementary Education, and a Minor in Studio Art. She is extremely involved in community activism and seeks to bring the voice of art to organizations which outwardly have an entirely different focus.

Sponsored by: Rocky Mountain Provisions, Inc.